69 



The endangered species that are the focus of some concern are 

 four species of fish that inhabit two sets of springs over 45 miles 

 and 12 miles away from the water source at the lands Aerojet 

 would obtain. 



There are some concerns that groundwater extraction by Aerojet, 

 in accordance with State law, I might add, may affect these 

 springs. We are persuaded that such a possibility is remote, but 

 have incorporated protective provisions in the contract to ensure 

 that this remote and distant endangered species habitat will not be 

 adversely affected by any activities Aerojet will engage in. 



These are among many provisions built into the agreement to 

 ensure avoidance of environmental damage and provide for mitiga- 

 tion of any damage which may occur. 



The previous witnesses have mentioned, for example, the set- 

 aside of up to 18,000 acres of land for primarily a desert tortoise 

 preserve to deal with that species, which is a species of some con- 

 cern. 



To provide an additional measure of protection, all of these envi- 

 ronmental measures in the agreement will be incorporated into the 

 land patent to ensure that these conservation measures will be 

 binding on any future owners of the property should Aerojet ever 

 sell the land. 



The lands that the Department would acquire in Florida, as 

 noted, are in Dade County and presently not of interest to either 

 the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Park Service. 



However, the South Florida Water Management District, the 

 State agency responsible for water conservation and management 

 in southern Florida, is extremely interested in acquiring the prop- 

 erty. They have provided us with a written offer to purchase 

 should the property become available by passage of this legislation. 



The sale of these lands to the water district would provide us 

 with more than $2.4 million of acquisition funds for use in the 

 wildlife refuge units in Florida. I think it is safe to say that both 

 the Lower Suwannee Unit and the Key Deer Unit are very impor- 

 tant in terms of endangered species, such as the Manatee and the 

 Key Deer, one of our most endangered mammals. 



We would plan to use $1.65 million of the proceeds created by 

 this bill to acquire approximately 2,700 acres of in-holdings in the 

 Lower Suwannee Unit, and the remaining approximately $700,000 

 would be used to purchase tracts facing the imminent threat of de- 

 velopment on Big Pine Key, an important habitat for the endan- 

 gered Key Deer. 



We are of the opinion that this legislation represents a very posi- 

 tive net benefit for all the parties. Nevada would receive environ- 

 mentally sound development; Florida would receive an addition to 

 its important water conservation system, and both Florida, the 

 Nation, and the Fish and Wildlife Service would benefit from these 

 important additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Horn follows:] 



